During the Inauguration of President Michael A. Elliott ’92 on Oct. 28, Amherst’s newest leader himself, five members of the College community and a former colleague of Elliott’s from Emory University delivered speeches marking the occasion. In addition, Haoran Tong ’23, the 2017 young poet laureate of China, read his poem “Our Story Keeps Writing Itself” and Phillip A. Jackson ’85, 19th rector of Trinity Church of Wall Street and member of the Board of Trustees, delivered the Invocation. Here are some memorable quotes from the main event. (Read our story for more on the event.)
Michael A. Elliott ’92, 20th president of the College
“[Amherst is] a place where curiosity and discovery are prized above all else; a place that values intellect and character above vocation; a place that understands that the best preparation for the world beyond our campus is, paradoxically, to be sheltered, at least partially and temporarily, within it. That is an ambitious mission, and we come here because of, not in spite of, the arduous labor it requires.”
“To use an old metaphor, we need both the head and the heart—the intellect and the spirit—as we reckon with our love of place and how it is shaped by the past. We need, in other words, the sensibility that is at the core of a liberal education, which is relentless in its search for truth, rigorous in its evaluation of evidence, and rooted in ethical reasoning.”
“On a campus like this one, with so much history accumulated here over two centuries, if we act out of fear of losing some imagined past, we will put the future in peril. We must instead act out of something better in ourselves … the love of humanity that comes from recognizing the good that each of us brings to this place, the good that makes this place worthy of our love.”
“We come to love this place not because of the quad or the fall leaves or the lecture hall—not because of Johnson Chapel, or our first-year dorm, or that office where we had so many long conversations with our thesis advisor. We come to love the place because this is where we feel something in ourselves that seems in woefully short supply right now—optimism—we feel the possibility of becoming, of growth, of stumbling forward into a better future for ourselves and for our world.”
Andrew J. Nussbaum ’85, chair of the Board of Trustees
“President Elliott, in the archives of the College you will find the inaugural addresses of your 19 predecessors. Soon we will add yours. What you will generally not find are the remarks of the board chair on such occasions. I know this because I have looked. And I suspect mine too will bear a similar lack of legacy.”
“[First Amherst President Zephaniah Swift Moore’s] distribution requirements would occupy our Committee on Educational Policy for many decades, and, if adopted, would likely drive today’s students back to Williams, I guess.”
“At a moment such as this one, it is worth reminding ourselves just how longstanding our mission is, how relevant and essential the teaching and learning that Amherst offers was, and remains, not only for our students, but for the broader world we seek to engage.”
“[Teaching and learning] are our collective endeavor, engaging all in our Amherst community, inspired by our presidents and brilliant faculty, supported by our superb staff, providing sustenance to our extraordinary students and nourished by our loyal alumni.”
Lisa Brooks, Henry S. Poler ’59 Presidential Teaching Professor of English and American Studies
“Don’t let the illusion of this [quad] lawn fool you. This is a [historical and environmental] crossroads of plant and animal trails. Remember the moose, a few years ago, who walked through the lawn of the president’s house? Doesn’t that make you wonder who will travel through Michael Elliott’s lawn?”
“Amherst College is at a crossroads. I know Michael will be down on the ground, walking those paths, listening carefully, and helping all of us to see. Not just from high above, from our classrooms, offices and our wonderful libraries, but on the ground. Perhaps, if we are lucky, he will help us to see clearly the multiple paths ahead so that we can navigate toward a collaborative future.”
Katherine K. Chia ’88, P’22, president of the Society of the Alumni
“This is a place with tremendous spirit. Its genius loci [‘spirit of place’] has been the foundation for a constant spirit of striving to do better–not only for Amherst College, but for the world. Just as the world is forever evolving, forever changing–the College and all of us want to be part of that challenging journey of discovery.”
“[Alumni,] be supportive. Be patient. Listen, learn and dig deeper into those areas of the college you feel most connected to, and offer feedback. Be critical when you see fit, but always be gracious in your critique, even during difficult times. Appreciate that Amherst College is always a work in progress—and that each one of us has a role to play in that effort. And above all, renew your commitment to the liberal arts, and be a steward of that mission with President Elliott.”
Sirus Wheaton ’23, president of the Association of Amherst Students
“[Amherst students] are zesty. We are full of curiosity and life and culture, and I will never ever place my bets against us succeeding in changing the world.”
“I know you [Elliott] are here to support the magic within the student body. You’re a dreamer and, most importantly, a listener.”
“Continue being the fuel so we can all burn bright. What we need is a little bit of magic to close the gap, and I’m hoping that in one of your famous tailored suits and with your great presidential smile, you, President Elliott, will help bring what we all need.”
Dale Hendricks, director of admission and financial aid systems and strategies
“It is a considerable achievement to be admitted once. You did it twice. Though I was not part of the deliberations when you were first admitted, I am delighted to have been part of the search committee which has brought us to this important day.”
“I realize now that if I want sweet potatoes (we call them yams in my home country of Jamaica) next summer, I need to be a creative problem-solver, I need to adapt to the climate conditions and need to continually work to build an environment where my plants can take advantage of the sun and soil. Our college community requires this same kind of attention to thrive.”
Gregory S. Call, Peter R. Pouncey Professor of Mathematics
“We are a faculty that cares deeply about our College and about the students we teach. We don’t take a narrow view of our responsibilities; rather, we seek to understand, to advise and, ultimately, to shape most of the decisions that affect our College.”
“We, your faculty, don’t offer you the easiest of roads, or the most traveled. We promise instead our commitment to listen–hopefully–and to debate–most certainly–so that we may discover better solutions and create new opportunities together. We promise, too, to stand up and step forward when we are needed.”
Carla Freeman, interim dean of the Emory College of Arts and Sciences and Goodrich C. White Professor of Women’s, Gender and Sexuality Studies at Emory University
“Few people in life get to ‘go home again.’ Even fewer return and achieve their dream job in one fell swoop.”
“At no time in our history as a nation has the acknowledgment of and opportunity for unlearning and relearning been more imperative–stumbling, and getting back up again, challenging and forgiving ourselves and others, speaking up and listening well. This spirit of openness, and an unflinching ease with difference form the essence of Michael’s leadership.”
“He is as comfortable with poetry as with a spreadsheet, manages a relentless calendar but walks the campus, never too busy to chat—taking you seriously but never taking himself too seriously. These qualities make Michael’s leadership look effortless.”
“Challenge your president; he is up to the task. Engage your president; you will find humor, empathy and wisdom in his words and actions. Run with him and try and keep up with him!”
Original source can be found here.
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